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Multicast is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with a history of success in the broadcast industry. These seasoned veterans offer a very clear vision and mission, evident by the incredible growth that the company has experienced over the past several years.

Chief Executive Officer

Lou Schwartz's vision and leadership have been the driving force behind the growth and success of Multicast, a company that has not only pioneered the way video content is managed, distributed and consumed over the Internet, but has also helped many satisfied clients define winning business models. Since co-founding the company in 2000, Mr. Schwartz has led the organization and its strategic direction.

Prior to launching Multicast, from 1993 to 2000, Mr. Schwartz practiced corporate and securities law guiding numerous companies from the earliest stages of private seed financing through the public offering of securities. While practicing law, Mr. Schwartz completed mergers and acquisitions aggregating in excess of $3 billion. Mr. Schwartz received his bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University and law degree from Mississippi College School of Law.

Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Mark Battaglia has helped drive significant revenue growth and played a critical role in defining corporate and go-to-market strategy throughout his career. As Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Multicast, Mr. Battaglia leads the company's enterprise sales and marketing, and its corporate solutions management, marketing and communications functions.

Mr. Battaglia joined Multicast from Enclarity, a healthcare information technology company. Prior to that, he held a series of senior executive positions in general management, marketing, sales and business development at leading software and information services companies including Initiate Systems and SPSS. Mr. Battaglia holds a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, and a master's degree in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago.

Executive Vice President, Finance

Richard "Rick" M. Beauford serves as Executive Vice President of Finance for Multicast Media Networks, LLC, and our parent holding company Multicast Media Technologies, Inc. Mr. Beauford has more than 25 years of combined business, financial and operational experience in the retail, manufacturing and distribution industries having held executive-level and officer-level positions with several organizations. Mr. Beauford received his accounting degree from Henderson State University and a master's in business administration from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Beauford is a certified public accountant, a member of the AICPA and the Georgia Society of CPAs.

Vice President, Solutions Engineering
Principal Application Strategist

Mr. Byrne brings more than 15 years of extensive experience in designing and implementing complex digital media and Internet solutions, with specialization in content delivery, streaming video, media hosting and monetization techniques. In his role at Multicast, Mr. Byrne works with the Multicast production, engineering, and research and development teams to determine how Multicast solutions can be deployed to help clients achieve their organization's objectives. In addition, his subject matter expertise and industry reputation make him a frequent contributor at conferences, roundtables, and with the media.

Prior to joining Multicast, Mr. Byrne held a variety of leadership roles at VitalStream Inc., a company specializing in audio and video delivery over the Internet and Concentric Network Corporation. Mr. Byrne earned his bachelor's degree from Chapman University.

Vice President, Development Services

Carol Comstock has more than 25 years' experience in software development, product management, and client services. As Vice President of Development Services, Ms. Comstock is responsible for the development and implementation of Multicast's product strategy, and for the delivery of custom projects for Multicast clients.

Ms. Comstock began her career in software development with Norfolk Southern Railway, and has maintained her technical roots through expanded roles in software engineering, content management and project delivery. Prior to joining Multicast, she was the Vice President of Delivery at Macquarium. Ms. Comstock earned her bachelor's degree from Furman University.

Vice President, Solutions Management

Chris Jeffs has an enviable track record of success and increasing responsibility in product management roles for technology companies. As Vice President, Solutions Management for Multicast, he works closely with clients, prospects and industry leaders to develop the vision for the solutions we offer to all markets, manage and communicate our development roadmap, and lead market launches of existing and new solutions.

Mr. Jeffs joined Multicast from Nexidia, a market-leading speech analytics company. Before that, he held senior product management positions at Witness Systems (now Verint) and Assyst-Bullmer. His work experience also client services management and software architecture and engineering roles. Mr. Jeffs holds an Engineering degree with honors from Brighton University.

President, Faith-Based Initiatives

Chance Mason is recognized around the globe for his vision related to the use of digital media and social communities as part of modern faith-based outreach, communication and service initiatives. Mr. Mason leads the company's faith-based B2B organization, and is President of two of the largest faith-based communities in the world—Streaming Faith and 316 Networks.

Mr. Mason joined Multicast in 2001 to direct the launch and delivery of those communities. Their success and his expertise make him a favorite for interviews and speaking engagements. Mr. Mason earned a bachelor's degree in management of information systems from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Vice President, Engineering & Information Technology Services

Mr. Mertens has a passion for the delivery of video communications and content on the Internet long before it was commercially viable—his first large-audience streaming event was in 1998. In his role, Mr. Mertens works with client management, sales, sales engineering, and development. He is responsible for the deployment, support, and operational maintenance of all of Multicast's systems. He directs 2^nd and 3^rd tier support to the tune of 99.99% uptime for all applications in the Multicast offering. 

His career is defined by a strong entrepreneurial bent—he started two of his own companies during the early 2000's. The first was a streaming video appliance for delivery of high-quality video inside a corporate network. The second was an internet consultancy that provided services to clients including UPS and HomeStar Bank. Mr. Mertens attended HumroTech—a pilot program offered through Georgetown University—for digital electronics and a specialization in fiber optics.

Executive Vice President, Business Development

Jason Simpson has over 16 years of experience in the online media and technology industries. In his role as Executive Vice President, Business Development for Multicast, Mr. Simpson is responsible for identifying and managing strategic alliances and channel partnerships that expand the company's reach and revenues. Since joining Multicast in 2004, Mr. Simpson has been instrumental in developing business relationships with some of the world's leading technology and interactive media companies.

Prior to Multicast, Mr. Simpson held leadership positions with Accenture, Premier HR Solutions (acquired by HCL Axon), and Enterpulse. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

Executive Vice President, Client Management

Benj Smith is an accomplished senior executive with broad-based expertise in customer development, strategic planning, and information technology. As Executive Vice President, Client Management, Mr. Smith is focused on enabling clients to realize more value from Multicast solutions, improving client retention, and increasing operating efficiencies.

Mr. Smith joined Multicast from InovaOne Studios where he was President, and led the development and implementation of new sales and operating processes. Prior to that, Mr. Smith led a number of research, planning, and development initiatives related to customer relationship initiatives at commercial organizations, including Coca-Cola, and not-for-profits. Mr. Smith attended Liberty University.